Mumbai: East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, two of India’s most successful football clubs are sadly not part of the cash-rich Indian Super League but new ISL franchise Bengaluru FC’s coach Albert Roca feels that it is only a matter of time, before both these clubs join the ISL.
“It’s a shame that East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are not part of the ISL. They have been an important part of Indian football history. I am sure it is only a question of time before they join the league. We at BFC look forward to playing with them,” said Roca at an media event in Mumbai on Friday.
Both these clubs share India’s largest fan base and have a legacy unmatched by any other clubs in Indian football, therefore it is always heart -breaking to see these clubs left-out of the ISL. Nevertheless, the pre-season campaign of both the I-League and the ISL at the same time has enabled the fans to witness big money clashes between two teams of both the leagues and while Mohun Bagan failed to win a single of it’s match against the ISL teams, East Bengal has brought smile back to maidan, by remaining undefeated in all of it’s matches against the five months league franchises.
The Kolkata giants defeated ISL newbies Jamshedpur FC 3-1 in a friendly match at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) ground in Jamshedpur on Friday. Al-amnah and Surabuddin Mullick scored the goals for East Bengal, while Jamshedpur FC’s Yumnam Raju scored an goal to help the I-League side register an emphatic win.
It took just 10 minutes for the Red and Gold Brigade to take the lead after Al-amnah fired home a sweet ball to make it 1-0. But their joy was short-lived as the defence soon conceded a penalty in the 22nd minute and Izu Azuka made no mistake from the spot.
Six minutes into the second half East Bengal once again took the lead, this time courtesy an own goal by substitue Yumnam Raju, which started a heated argument between the players leading to East Bengal defender Gurjinder Singh being sent off in the 75th minute. Substitute Surabuddin Mallick who was making a return from injury added a third two minutes before the final whistle, to being up the win.
The win also helped East Bengal remain undefeated against the ISL teams in three matches. They first drew against Bengaluru FC, then beat FC Goa 2-1 in their second, before this win.